RETIRED! (06/10/10): This mod will no longer be updated, since Valve has now integrated it into the game! Enjoy not having to reinstall it after every update from now on! Thank you for all your support throughout my work on this mod and wish me luck on future endeavors! If you still want the UberCharged icons, just delete the "resource" folder before installing and only the icons will install.

UPDATED! (05/21/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update. Added two new tips relative to new items added to the game.

UPDATED! (05/20/10): Updated Flare Gun tip to include info on new game mechanics. Fixed a tip not displaying correctly.

UPDATED! (05/10/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update.

UPDATED! (05/08/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update. Added new tip relating to new Homewrecker ability.

UPDATED! (05/06/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update.

UPDATED! (05/02/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 updates. Added new tips relating to new items and new game mechanics. Revamped several tips for higher quality grammar and word usage. Adjusted several tips to conform to changed game mechanics. Current grand total: 163 tips

UPDATED! (04/16/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update.

UPDATED! (03/20/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 updates.

UPDATED! (02/06/10): Removed tip that was about a game element that is no longer in the game (picking up stickybomb bits for +1 metal). Updated tip that was about a game element that has since changed. (Buff Banner lasts 10 seconds now, not 14)

UPDATED! (02/05/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 updates. Added several Medic tips as suggested by SGTNAPALM (Facepunch.com) Added several crafting tips as suggested by Vaught (Facepunch.com) New feature! Crafting blueprints that start out hidden are now shown as non-class-specific tips. Current grand total: 156 tips

UPDATED! (01/29/10): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 updates. Re-added joke tips. Trimmed length of a tip that was too long. Current grand total: 141 tips

UPDATED! (01/18/10): Sorry for being so late on this one! Added compatibility with the latest TF2 updates. Removed joke tips. Updated wording on several tips. Added a few tips. Updated stats in existing tips to fit gameplay changes in latest updates.

UPDATED! (12/22/09): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update. (Fixed loadout text.)

UPDATED! (12/22/09): Added compatibility with the WAR! Update (Final). Revamped several tips to improve wording. Revised several tips due to changes made in the WAR! Update. Added new tips for the Demoman and Soldier's new items. Added tips, bringing the grand total to 140 tips.

UPDATED! (12/11/09): Added compatibility with the WAR! Update (Stage 1). Revamped several tips to improve wording. Made new tenth tip category that uses a random class icon for non-class-specific tips. Condensed a couple duplicate tips into the tenth category. Added tips, bringing the grand total to 125 tips.

UPDATED! (11/04/09): Added compatibility with the Bill's Hat update.

UPDATED! (10/31/09): Added compatibility with the Hallowe'en Special.

UPDATED! (10/22/09): Added compatibility with the latest TF2 update (fixed quickswitch panel text). Sorry I took so long on this one; I didn't notice the new text until just the other day.

UPDATED! (undocumented date): Added tons of tips as suggested by other users on Facepunch.com. I'm always open to new suggestions, so don't hesitate to send them to me! I can't think of everything by myself!

I'm sure most everyone has read and reread all the tips on the loading screen and stats screen to the point where nobody even notices they're there anymore. I've been noticing that many of them are outdated, none of them contain any info about the unlockable items, and several of them are inconsistent with their terminology.

I've remedied all that by adding tons of tips, the current total being 156. I've also revamped all of the existing tips to be up to date and consistent with each other. On top of this, for those who want some more flavor, I've replaced all nine of the class "portrait" images that accompany the tips with the new "ubercharged" avatars recently released on the official blog. They should not only help grab your attention so that you actually read the tips, but also provide a bit more flavor for what are otherwise now-mundane and old screens.

The new tips consist of strategical advice and not-so-commonly-known information about new features that have been added to the game over time such as unlockable items and rule changes. I put in at least one tip for every weapon and mentioned as many things as came to mind regarding stuff I often see people not knowing about. It really is a useful read if you aren't studied on the inner workings of TF2.

For a full list of all the tips added, go to tf/resource/tfenglish.txt and use Notepad's Find function to find the string "TipFmt". From there, you can read through all the tips. I've added a few funny tips so people can occasionally get a laugh, so if you don't want those spoiled you'd best not poke around the file.

Also please note that this will overwrite any modifications you already have to your tfenglish.txt file. If you want to copy all the tips over to your custom tfenglish.txt yourself, then use the method above to find the tips in both files and overwrite the old set of tips with the new ones.

Thank you for your feedback. I hope you enjoy!

By the way, if you don't want to use the UberCharged icons, then just delete the "materials" folder before installing. I've had several people ask me this question.